'American Idol' fans, make sure to pencil in a very important event on Oct. 4: AOL TV sister site The Boot reports that's the day 'American Idol' winner Scotty McCreery will release his debut album, 'Clear as Day.'

Though a track list has not yet been revealed, we do know that Scotty's breakout hit, 'I Love You This Big,' will be on the album. The tune made Billboard history earlier this year, leaving the North Carolina native pleasantly shocked.

"That's very humbling for me," he told The Boot. "Just a week after 'Idol,' I heard about it in an interview and I was taken aback. I'm looking forward to what else I can do, if I can work my tail off to get there! If I can break another record, we'll see, but I've gotta just work, work work."

Jennifer Lopez is returning to 'American Idol,' executive producer Nigel Lythgoe announced Wednesday morning on 'Idol' host Ryan Seacrest's radio show.

"I am delighted to say that all three judges, along with the brilliant host of 'American Idol,' [are] back for the next season," Lythgoe said in an interview on 'On Air with Ryan Seacrest.'

Lopez's 'Idol' future was up in the air for much of the summer. In an interview with BBC, Lopez said she was unsure whether or not she would return to the Fox reality competition series.

Where were you this time last year?
Scotty: At this time last year, I would have been on the baseball field. We have spring ball for the school, and summer ball, getting ready for the school. So, I would have been on the baseball field pitching away.

And where are you a year later?
Scotty: Yesterday, I was in the studio, working away and recording some songs for the new album. We've got two or three done. I've definitely been writing. For this album, I don't think any of my original stuff will be on it, because it's happened so quick for me, and it's rapid-fire. We're definitely still writing and jamming out on the bus.

Haley Reinhart has finally signed a record deal. She may have finished third in 'American Idol,' but the fan-favorite isn't leaving the spotlight.

Entertainment Weekly reports Reinhart signed with Interscope Records. Yep, Reinhart will be on the same label as fellow 'Idol' contestant Pia Toscano.

Reinhart is currently working on her debut album.

Check out some of the singer's trademark growling below.

Jordin Sparks hasn't had much time to sit back and reflect on her 2007 'American Idol' win. She's been too busy releasing albums, touring large venues with other pop acts, and appearing in the Tony-winning Broadway musical, 'In the Heights.' But Sparks came up for air long enough on 'Today' (weekdays, 7AM on NBC) to look back on the wild ride she's been on for the past four years.

"It seems like forever, but at the same time, it seems like only yesterday," she said. "And I think about it and it's like, almost five years, and I'm just like, I can't believe it." Sparks said she loved working on Broadway and would do it again if the right project popped up. Of course, she'd have to fit that in between tours to support her music. "I just finished in July, but it's like, I'm just like the Energizer bunny," she said, "I just keep going and going and going and going and going. It's insane."

Former 'American Idol' finalist Clay Aiken got to try out his acting chops Sunday on 'Drop Dead Diva' (Sundays, 9PM on Lifetime), playing a witness in a case of a mail-order-bride scam. Aiken played Tyler, the former husband of Irina, the mail-order bride in question. Grayson and Kim were representing Hank the Bailiff, who once had a crush on Jane and was dumped by Irina.

Grayson and Kim were suspicious when they interviewed Tyler, finding out that he left Irina on good terms. She didn't max out his credit cards and returned the engagement ring. "I felt terrible, but after a couple of months I just realized she wasn't right for me," said Tyler.

It seems as though the game of cat and mouse that Jennifer Lopez has been playing with 'American Idol' execs all summer may soon be at an end.

According to 'The Wall Street Journal,' Lopez is close to signing a deal that will bring her back to the 'American Idol' judging panel for at least one more season.

When Lopez's original one-year contract -- estimated at $12 million -- expired back in May she said she was "on the fence" about committing to the series for another season, and she's been pitching her own TV talent show to networks.

'Idol' execs, in return, then let it be known that they were lining up possible replacements should they be unable to lure her back.

First a booted judge and now a multi-million dollar lawsuit. The drama with 'The X Factor' has reached new heights -- before the show even premieres. Simon Fuller, creator of 'American Idol,' is suing Fox and Fremantle North America -- producer of both shows -- for a stake in 'The X Factor.'

"Today Simon Fuller filed a legal complaint against Fox Broadcasting Company and Fremantle in the State of California over their refusal to honor a 2005 contract that granted Mr. Fuller an executive producer credit and fees on the 'X Factor' television program in the US. Mr. Fuller has prudently attempted to settle this matter privately but the other parties have refused to honor the original contract leaving him no other choice but to pursue legal action," Fuller's publicist said in a statement to Deadline.

Judging by their recent public appearances, Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez seemed to have a happy, healthy marriage. They performed together on the season finale of 'American Idol,' which ended with a passionate kiss. Three weeks ago, Anthony was on 'The Talk' waxing romantic about the first time he met J-Lo, and talking about being "all in" for the marriage. So it came as something of a shock when they announced Friday that they were divorcing after seven years of marriage, which 'Good Morning America' (weekdays, 7AM on ABC) reported Monday.

'GMA' quoted the couple's statement to the press Friday, which said, "We have decided to end our marriage. This was a difficult decision." The report also mentioned Lopez's banner year, including her job judging 'American Idol,' People magazine naming her the "World's Most Beautiful Woman," and her new single 'On the Floor.'

'GMA' also mentioned that Lopez has had several high-profile relationships, and was married twice previous to her marriage to Anthony. The report also mentioned the cliché "Seven Year Itch," which seemed like a reach for an explanation.

Growing up in Queens, New York, Pia Toscano always wanted to be a singer, and after auditioning for 'American Idol' five times she was finally granted a pass to the top tier of the 10th season of the Fox juggernaut TV show.

Toscano was a true contender on 'Idol,' hitting the highest notes with ease. But rather than fulfilling what many felt to be her destiny, the singer shocked the nation and judges Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson, and Steven Tyler when she was unexpectedly given the boot halfway through the season. However, all is not lost for this makeup-artist-turned-singing-sensation, as she recently signed with Jimmy Iovine's Interscope records. And with the recent release of single 'This Time,' we're sure Pia is well on her way to becoming a pop music mainstay. AOL Music spoke to the singer about her current tour, upcoming album and the current state of her love life.

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony are getting a divorce.

The TV power couple released the following statement to People:

"We have decided to end our marriage. This was a very difficult decision. We have come to an amicable conclusion on all matters.

"It is a painful time for all involved and we appreciate the respect of our privacy at this time."

The couple has been married for seven years and recently collaborated on Latin American talent show, 'Q'Viva: The Chosen.'

Lopez joined 'American Idol' last season and has yet to reveal her plans for next season. Anthony recently joined the cast of TNT's 'Hawthorne.'

'American Idol' host Ryan Seacrest unveiled a new radio and TV studio in the lobby of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Friday on 'Today' (weekdays, 7AM on NBC). His Ryan Seacrest Foundation footed the bill for the closed-circuit studio, which broadcasts to other rooms in the hospital. The system is nicknamed 'The Voice,' and the Seacrest Foundation has installed a similar system in the Children's Healthcare Pediatric Hospital in his home town of Atlanta.

"It's meant for the kids to come down and use," he explained. "They can be a DJ or a host, they can be interviewed, they can interview each other. And also we'll have celebrity guests stop by and perform for them. But I wanted to come up with something that they can do while they're here, because some of them are here for quite a while."

The first of those celebrity guests was schedule to stop in Friday for a surprise visit, except it didn't surprise AJ, one of the kids at the hospital, who knew it would be Selena Gomez. "I said, 'That not a surprise if you know already. How did you find out?'" Seacrest asked AJ. Turns out a construction worker told him "by accident." AJ may have a future in investigative journalism.

Colbie Caillat has put out hit singles, won a Grammy for her work with Jason Mraz, and been nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album. But in spite of all those accomplishments now under her belt, there was a time when Caillat couldn't get through the initial stages of two 'American Idol' auditions. Tuesday on 'Today' (7AM ET on NBC) she spoke about her journey with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, and performed with her band.

"I'm shy," she said of her unsuccessful 'American Idol' tryouts. "I'm nervous. I don't audition well. And I honestly gave bad auditions. And the second time I auditioned with 'Bubbly,' which is kind of funny. But I didn't look that great. I get it."